Ghost Wanted

Bailey Ruth #5

by Carolyn G. Hart

Bailey Ruth's supervisor, Wiggins, is worried about a dear old friend. The ghost of elegant Lorraine Marlow haunts Adelaide's college library. Known as the Lady of the Roses, she plays matchmaker, using the fragrant flowers to pair up students. But someone's making mischief after hours, leaving roses strewn about the library, destroying a gargoyle, and stealing a valuable book. Concerned with Lorraine's reputation among the living, Wiggins dispatches the irrepressible redhead Bailey Ruth to investigate.

Genres: Mystery, Cozy Mystery, Paranormal, Ghosts, Audiobook, Fiction, Fantasy

292 pages, Hardcover

First published October 7, 2014

About the author

Also writing as Carolyn Hart.

An accomplished master of mystery with 46 published books, Carolyn Hart is the creator of the highly acclaimed Henrie O,Death on Demand, and Bailey Ruth Raeburn series. Her books have won multiple Agatha, Anthony, and Macavity Awards. Letter from Home (2003), her standalone mystery set in Oklahoma, was nominated for the Pulitzer Prize. Her latest book is Dead by Midnight (William Morrow/HarperCollins, 2007). She is one of the founders of Sisters in Crime, an organization for women who write mysteries. She lives in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma."
New Books: Dead By Midnight Carolyn Hart


DEAD BY MIDNIGHT by Carolyn Hart On Sale March 29

The police say suicide. Annie Darling suspects murder. Max is unconvinced until Annie follows a trail behind the dead woman's house.

Annie unravels the mystery of a towel hidden at midnight in a gazebo, the interesting lack of fingerprints on a crystal mug, blood on a teenager's blue shirt, and the secret of a lovers' tryst. Max plunges deep into the woods to find incriminating evidence.

Annie sets the perfect trap for a merciless killer, but her cell phone rings and Death is on the line.

www.CarolynHart.com

And for cat lovers:

DEAD BY MIDNIGHT by Carolyn Hart

I love to have fun when writing a mystery. If I laugh, I think a reader will laugh. In the Death on Demand series, I especially enjoy writing about Annie Darling's ditzy mother-in-law, Laurel Roethke. Laurel is usually excited about a new interest, something that surprises and often confounds Annie.

In Dead by Midnight, Laurel creates Cat Truth Posters, which she wants Annie to hang in the bookstore. Annie thinks books should be the store's focus, but the posters enchant her.

Each poster features a cat's photograph with a caption. Here are three of the Cat Truth posters;

. . . a silky furred, mitted, and bicolored Ragdoll stretched out on a red silk cushion, looking as comfy as Eva Longoria in a Hanes ad: Go with the Flow.

A rectangular-muzzled, green-eyed, cholocolate colored cat appeared as brooding as a Gothic hero: Always Say Yes to Adventure.

. . . a thick-furred, piebald Siberian forest cat, its white front a brilliant contrast to a charcoal back and head. Its face appeared almost angelic: Always try a Smile First.

And yes, one of the posters points to a killer.

Fun for me and fun, I hope for readers

Reviews

[Lisa Ks Book Reviews · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the first book I’ve read in the Bailey Ruth Ghost Mysteries and before I started GHOST WANTED, I wasn’t sure if I would be able to follow it. I was afraid I would be lost. I had no need to worry. On page two, author Carolyn Hart started filling me in on what I needed to know, and it was a fun ride from there.

When I first heard of this book, I assumed it was another book where the protagonist was befriended by a ghost. I had no idea the protagonist was the ghost!

This book was an excellent mystery, told from a view point I’ve never read before, which only served to make reading it more intriguing and irresistible. Ms. Hart’s writing is flawless and kept me captured in the story straight through to the thrilling conclusion.
Rather you’re a fan of mysteries, suspense, or paranormal stories, Ghost Wanted is a title you want to add to your reading list.

You can pre-order it now for the October 7th release date. And if you haven’t read them yet, pick up the other four books in this series, Ghost At Work, Merry, Merry Ghost, Ghost In Trouble, and Ghosts Gone Wild. You’re going to want to own every title!

[Anna · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.75 Nothing profound here just a delightfully silly mystery in Carolyn Hart's best style. I wonder reading this series, what would happen if Bailey Ruth ever did follow all the precepts.

[Zermeena · Rating 4 out of 5]

What can I say about Bailey Ruth. She is a ghost with flair and a big heart. It's hard to acknowledge that Bailey Ruth is so good at solving mysteries, when she bumbles around on earth. What I don't like about this series is "the precepts" and how Bailey Ruth doesn't even try to stick to them. But that aside, Carolyn Hart writes good mysteries and this is one of them. The plot involves young lovers, a setup and a scheming bad guy.

[Rachel N. · Rating 3 out of 5]

Bailey Ruth is sent from heaven to Adelaide, Oklahoma to help clear the name fo fellow spirit Lorraine Marlowe. Lorraine leaves roses for students she thinks should be a couple. Someone has used Lorraine's reputation to frame a student for stealing a rare novel. With the chief of police on his honeymoon it's up to Bailey Ruth to solve the case.

These books are enjoyable if not read too close together. Bailey Ruth's constant outfit changes get on my nerves but the cases themselves are interesting.

[Eden · Rating 4 out of 5]

2021 bk 287. Bailey Ruth is back, paying a visit to her home town to help a young college student who is being set up for a theft and murder. Along the way, Bailey is helping another ghost with matchmaking, dealing with an inept fill-in for the chief of police (who is on his honeymoon- see Book 1). Well done book and mystery.

[Susan Webb · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love Bailey Ruth! She is so funny and sincere and makes a hilarious ghost

[Harry Lane · Rating 3 out of 5]

Bailey Ruth is a bit of an outre creation, what with her concern for fashion while sleuthing. And you would think that being able to be invisible, and to go from place to place instantaneously, the case would be solved in a trice. Hart is quite creative in making things hard for Bailey Ruth, but of course it all comes up roses in the end.

[Pamela · Rating 4 out of 5]

I've read the Bailey Ruth series from the beginning. I don't disagree with the comments that Bailey Ruth is vain but the mysteries are fun. I did figure this one out early, so no surprises. I needed a light, fun read and this filled the need. I'll be there for the next release.

[Jenn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting story about ghost/heavenly helpers who solve crimes and right the wrongs.

[Hali Jacobs · Rating 4 out of 5]

I still love this character. Every book she is in is really great.

[kathy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really do like these stories! The idea of a ghost coming down from heaven, who can become human or stay invisible to help solve a mystery. Bailey Ruth does have a sense of fashion and a spunky personality. She is usually called to help out in Adelaide Oklahoma, where she lived with the love of her life and raised her family.

The stories are pretty much contemporary as there’s the Internet and cell phones. This one was an interesting mystery with involvement of students on a college campus and blackmail.

There’s always a richness and depth to the author’s writing. I like how separate things are going on with a realistic touch as I’m reading the heavenly element.

A bit of adventure, the fun background of being an emissary from heaven and current day troubles on a college campus! It is Valentine’s Day today when I finished, There are 2 love stories, heavenly and earthly. Bailey Ruth does not disappoint!

[Susan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another interesting one that deviated a bit from the standard plot of the first three. Bailey Ruth is sent down to Adelaide by Wiggins because his old friend Lorraine refuses to leave earth and is haunting the college library. When strange things, including vandalism, theft of a valuable book, and the murder of a security guard occur at the library and a young student is framed, BR and (eventually) Lorraine team up to help the girl and solve some murders. The Lorraine character is charming - BR has to show her how to use her 'ghostly' powers to change clothes, float through the air, etc. Another good fun read.

[Elizabeth Seals · Rating 3 out of 5]

Bailey Ruth is on a mission to clear the name of a ghost that haunts a college library and a student. Using her ghostly powers, she'll see that justice is served before someone gets put behind bars.

I don't have much to say about this book. It was a decent cozy mystery where our main character goes sleuthing about Adelaide and accomplishes her goal. The last few chapters of the book had me very invested, but I felt that the ending was a bit rushed. However, I may just like seeing our villains end up behind bars! In the end, this was a cute cozy that you'll enjoy, especially if you like ghost powers!

[Marilyn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Around the Year in 52 Books 2018 Reading Challenge. A ghost story.

Wiggins sends Bailey Ruth to her favorite place on Earth once again, but this time it is personal and we learn a lot more about him. The legacy of Lorraine Marlow is being tarnished by someone causing problems. Wiggins would like for Bailey Ruth to talk Lorraine into finally coming home to Heaven, but in the meantime, he wants her to discover who has been causing problems in the college library. Bailey Ruth and Lorraine end up working together to catch a murderer and save a young woman. Wonderful!

[Melody Kitchens · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked this books view of heaven. A place where you get to be with your loved ones and are your favorite age forever. I also loved the main character's heart, she was always trying to help people. Like with Rachel (I think that was her name), she believed she was innocent and didn't kill the security guard and there fore helped them crack the case. The talking picture reminded me of something out of Harry Potter and was pretty cool. Overall I liked the book, but there were some slow parts and some of the characters were a little hard to distinguish from each other.

[Clarissa · Rating 4 out of 5]

I’ve read the first 5 books of this series, the plots are amazing and the writing exquisite. However, there is too much details around what the main character is wearing, the character is narcissistic about it. It is quite annoying because she is constantly changing her outfit and discussing how it compliments her red hair and green eyes. Unfortunately I cannot suffer through the remaining series because I find it has nothing to do with the excellent plots, it seem to elevate as the series continue.

[Dee · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another Bailey Ruth mystery novel. I love the mysteries and how Ms. Hart solves them with all the finesse of a Ghosts special skills. This time Bailey solves a murder and saves the reputation and future of a young college girl. She also aligns with another ghost who has refused to come to heaven: Lorraine. Lorraine has an interesting history.
A great fun read for this time of anxiety we all have due to the current pandemic coronavirus, Covid19.
Helps take away the stress of today's world.

[Sharon · Rating 4 out of 5]

Bailey Ruth Raeburn Is sent back to her hometown of Adelaide Oklahoma. It seems that College Library is being haunted by the “Lady of the Roses”. She leaves roses around campus to lovelorn students.
But someone mysteriously, is leaving roses strewn about the library, destroying a gargoyle and stealing a rare book. Concerned about Lorraine’s, the lady of the roses reputation, Bailey Ruth is sent to investigate. The situation is about to get worse, a library Security Guard is shot and a student working on rare documents disappears. Delightful story.

[Brenda · Rating 3 out of 5]

I've enjoyed Carolyn Hart's Death On Demand series so I thought I'd try another of her series. I have to say, I'm not such a fan of this one. Perhaps I am just used to the way the other series is written and flows but, it also seems much more plausible than this particular series. I didn't dislike this book but I didn't love it enough to continue with the series. I will just wait for the next Death On Demand book to be released :)

[Carole · Rating 4 out of 5]

Bailey Ruth, detective for Heaven's Department of Good Intentions (her boss Wiggins doesn't like any of his detectives referred to as ghosts), has a very personal assignment. Wiggins was in love with a young woman before he died; she has since died but refuses to leave earth. Wiggins sends Bailey Ruth to save Lorraine's reputation and to persuade her to finally leave earth.

[Katie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Audio. Read by Ann Marie Lee. 2014. Bailey Ruth #5. Bailey Lee plus another ghost, Lorraine, who as a person passed decades ago, proved the innocence of a wrongly accused college student of theft, murder and mischevious doings. Turns out the Ghost Lorraine and Mr. Wiggins, Paul, were in love during WWII.

[Teresa Mills-Clark · Rating 3 out of 5]

The fifth in a series the initial writing felt convoluted, to me. I think this is because the author was wanting to give backstory and introduce the new story simultaneously. I almost put the book down but didn't because the book was given to me by a friend who has introduced me to many other interesting authors. (That's you, Maggie).

Eventually the plot coalesced and I felt engaged.

[Ann · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love this series. The mystery itself was good. Bailey Ruth's interference was not very believable, but the stories told were worth suspending disbelief to me. A love story from the trenches of World War I combined with a current day mystery made for a fun read!

[Mandy Burkhart · Rating 3 out of 5]

A little different from some of the other Bailey Ruth books. I love the idea of the Department of Good Intentions, but I must confess I didn't love this one as much as I enjoyed some of the others in this series.

[Caroline · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful

I love everyone of the books in this series. They each have something special about them and this one is wonderful because of getting to know the people and the great things that happen. Thank you for writing such great books.

[Linda Wallace · Rating 4 out of 5]

A light entertaining mystery. I love Bailey Ruth, even if she is a bit of a busybody. I only wish I could conjure up an outfit at any time as she does. Carolyn Hart’s mysteries whether Death on Demand or Bailey Ruth are always good for a comforting, enjoyable read.

[Suzanne Bratcher · Rating 5 out of 5]

This series just keeps getting better. Not only does this book have a puzzling mystery, it also has two romances: one in the present and one from long ago. Hart Does a marvelous job juggling distinct voices for five main characters.

[Ginia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fun, quick read. I love Bailey Ruth. She's so fun. This book is my favorite in the series so far.

[Michele · Rating 4 out of 5]

The premise of this series should have scared me off, but it didnt. I love it!

[Mary Beth · Rating 3 out of 5]

Ghostly gumshoe Bailey Ruth Raeburn of Heaven’s Department of Good Intentions is checking out a troubling disturbance in Adelaide, Oklahoma. B